Debunking The Myths About Tankless Water Heaters

January 1, 2018

You may have heard a lot recently about the benefits of choosing a tankless water heater over a traditional storage water heater system. At the same time, you have probably heard many other people saying that there are problems associated with them and that it isn’t worth upgrading your system.

If you are ready to invest in a new water heater but don’t know whether it’s worth your while to switch to a tankless heater, you need to be fully informed and get all of the facts that you need to make a final decision!

So, what is the truth about tankless water heaters? In this article, we debunk some of the most common myths you may have heard about these systems.

Tankless Water Heaters Cost A Lot Of Money

Although switching to a tankless water heater from a storage water heater may incur some extra initial costs, they are still worth your while. If you trade down to an entry level tank you will only make a very small saving and in the long term you may actually need to spend more. These less economical tanks are not very efficient and you will find that you run regularly out of hot water when you need it. Also, their lifespan is generally a lot shorter than that of a tankless water heater, lasting only around a decade before having to be replaced.

While a tankless water heater costs a little more to buy, it offers a lot more benefits including an unlimited supply of hot water and much better efficiency. No longer will you have to wait for the tank to heat before you can take a bath, and this is invaluable if you live in a larger household. They also have double the lifespan of a storage system. Also, as tankless systems are more energy efficient they will also cut your energy bills substantially and over time, this will save enough to more than cover the cost of the installation.

Tankless Water Heaters Need Natural Gas

Although some tankless water heaters are fueled by natural gas, propane powered systems offer identical features and are just as efficient. Although propane tankless systems are less common, they represent an excellent alternative to having 2 or 3 electric powered tanks in your home and it will take up considerably less space in your utility room or garage, which is excellent if you live in a smaller property.

Tankless Water Heaters Need A Complicated Venting System

Although adequate ventilation is a requirement when installing a tankless water heater, it is possible in many areas to install a tankless system on the exterior of your property so that no venting will be necessary. This is ideal in homes where space is at a premium or where there is no basement as the unit can be hung in a mechanical area close to the HVAC condenser. If you have to have your tankless water heater installed inside your property, it may necessitate a little more planning however it is not as complicated as it may seem. Upgrading from your electric tank system to an interior gas powered tankless system simply involves venting through the wall using cheap PVC piping and a concentric vent.

Tankless Water Heaters Require The Thermostat Temperature To Be Set At 120 Degrees Or Higher

Many people think that tankless water heaters have to be set at a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, however this is not actually the case. In fact, most manufacturers pre-set the thermostats of their tankless water heaters between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit, however there is no need to keep your thermostat at this level if you don’t want to. To maximize the efficiency and savings you can obtain from your hot water system you should turn down your thermostat to cut your energy bills. Tankless water heaters provide an unlimited supply of hot water and so, as there is no chance of ever running out, you can simply set your preferred temperature on the thermostat, whatever that may be.

Tankless Water Heaters Don’t Work With Well Water

Whenever your water heater heats up water, scale begins to form on its heat exchanger and therefore flushing is needed from time to time to keep a tankless system functioning optimally. If your home has hard water or a high amount of usage, more scale will build up, however no significant differences have been discovered between those homes that use city water and those homes that use well water. This means that even if your home water is supplied from a well you can still enjoy all of the benefits of a tankless system. Most contemporary tankless water heaters even inform their owner when the time has come to flush out the system or have an alert system which tells the homeowner to call a technician as maintenance is necessary.

Whatever water source you have, you can use a water softener in order to reduce the amount of scale that is created, and this means that you can go longer between flushes. However if you maintain your system on a regular basis it will enjoy better function and efficiency, and will also have a longer lifespan.

Now that you know the truth about installing a tankless water heater, you may have decided that they are the best choice for your property. There are numerous benefits to choosing a tankless system including increased efficiency, unlimited amounts of hot water on demand and savings on your energy bills. With their long lifespan, tankless systems are ideal for those who want to invest in their future, and if you are concerned about protecting the environment, the good news is that they are much more eco-friendly too. If you need some help in choosing the right system to suit your needs, check out top tankless water heater reviews on the market and make an informed purchasing decision so that you can find the right model to save you money.